David Villa posts emotional farewell to city of New York, NYCFC, fans ahead of his move to Japan

David Villa announces he is ready for another challenge as he bids farewell to New York City FC.

Steve Nicol reflects on the impact David Villa has had on Major League Soccer after announcing his departure from NYCFC after four seasons.

Superstar striker David Villa made quite an impact in New York and on MLS when he signed for New York City FC in June 2014, becoming one of the most high-profile European stars to ever take his footballing talents to the United States.

Recently, after four fantastic seasons, including an MVP-winning campaign in 2016, Villa announced he would be leaving the league and the United States to begin the next step of his playing career.

Villa will soon be joining friend Andres Iniesta in Japan with Vissel Kobe and ahead of his move, the Spaniard posted an emotional farewell to the city of New York, NYCFC and all of his American fans. It turns out New York also seems to have left quite an impact on David Villa and his family.

When I first started playing soccer in my dear Tuilla, I could never have imagined becoming a New Yorker. It has been a privilege to live, play and enjoy this city for the past 4 years. We are going to miss you, NY. This is not a goodbye; we'll be back soon. We love you New York. pic.twitter.com/3UphybYA5B

In his tweet, accompanied by a series of adorable pictures of his entire family, Villa echoes how much he enjoyed his time in New York and promises in his own words "This is not a goodbye; we'll be back soon. We love you New York."

New York loves you too, David.

In all Villa scored 80 goals in 124 games in MLS, leading NYCFC in scoring during all four of his seasons, notably scoring 23 goals in 2016 and 24 in 2017. "El Guaje" will be remembered as one of the league's best-ever players and as NYCFC's first-ever signing, more than delivered on the hype surrounding him when he arrived from Atletico Madrid.

Thanks for the memories David, you will be missed. P.S.: I'm not crying, you're crying!